NEW YORK (AP) — An often-criticized initiative to rebuild Superstorm Sandy-damaged homes has started work on more than 130, finished 30 and dispensed more than $6.3 million to reimburse homeowners for reconstruction costs, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

While the 132 homes underway represent just over a quarter of the goal the city has vowed to reach within six weeks, de Blasio said the pace was accelerating, and the city was on track to keep its promise of starting work on 500 homes and sending out 500 reimbursement checks by Labor Day. Nearly 400 checks have been sent.